The Welsh Government has claimed positive results from the trial of a digital deposit return scheme (DDRS) for drinks containers.
It said the project, run by Powys County Council in the Brecon area, attracted a high level of cooperation from the public and the people are open to using such schemes in the future.
Named Scan/Recycle/Reward, it involved the digital scanning with mobile phones of uniquely labelled containers before they were recycled through kerbside collections or at return points, community bins or over shop counters around the town. Residents were able to claim a 10 pence reward when returning eligible containers.
Over 50 suppliers and partners and 24 retailers took part.
The Welsh Government said it worked “flawlessly” and that results included that 56% of participants surveyed said they would recommend the scheme in the future, 58% or returned containers went through weekly household collections, and 98% of these were captured in the recycling stream.
Of the type of material returned, 63% were plastic bottles, 29% cans, 7% cartons and less than 1% glass.
In addition, there was no significant fraud or misuse of the system, and the trial showed a range of return options was preferred over any particular route.
Embraced innovation
Matt Perry, Powys County Council’s chief officer said: “The residents, visitors and retailers of Brecon thoroughly embraced their involvement in this innovative trial, and it was encouraging to witness everyone’s enthusiasm and willingness to give the digital technology a go.
“The results show for themselves how a digital version of the traditional return deposit schemes could easily be incorporated into the already established weekly kerbside collections services offered by most local authorities making life easier for citizens to return containers whilst also keeping our carbon footprint to a minimum.”
Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change Huw Irranca-Davies said: “This trial will support our ongoing work into DDRS and help build on our already world class recycling rates. Our aim is to move to a more circular economy where resources are reused and recycled rather than being wasted.”
Claire Shrewserry, director of insights and innovation at the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), commented: “This trial has been hugely important to better understand the complexities of operating a successful DDRS scheme in Wales. It’s clear that the people involved have completely embraced the options.
“WRAP looks forward to helping Welsh Government introduce a DRS system that works successfully across the whole country and builds on its impressive recycling performance.”
